ABSTRACT
The Ahmadiyya have often been persecuted by other Muslims since Ghulām Ahmad made a number of claims including being a recipient of revelation, the Promised Messiah, the Mahdī (q.v.) and an avatar of Krishna. Ahmadīs believe that Jesus escaped from death on a cross and went to Srinagar where he died and was buried. The Ahmadiyya are split into two main groups: (i) Qādiyānīs, who hold that Ghulām Ahmad was a prophet (nab (q.v.)), and (ii) Lahoris, a smaller group, who believe their founder to have been a 'Renewer' (Mujaddid) only. The headquarters of the Ahmadiyya today is at Rabwah, Pakistan. (See 'Īsā.) Ahmadiyya (2) The name of a major sūfī (q.v.) order, established initially in Egypt, which is called after the sūf saint, Ahmad al-Badawī. To prevent confusion with other orders and religious groups, it is probably better to refer to the order as the Badawiyya. Independent branches of the order spread all over the Middle East. (See al-Badawī, al-Sayyid Ahmad; Tasawwuf.) al-Ahqāf (Ar.) The title of the 46th sura of the Qur'ān; it means literally 'The Sand Dunes'. The sura belongs to the Meccan period and has 35 verses. It takes its name from the 21st verse which refers to a place called al-Ahqāf where Hūd (q.v.) and the tribe of 'Ād (q.v.) used to live. The latter part of the sura is full of warnings about what happened to disbelievers in ancient times like the people of 'Ād. Ahwāl (Ar.) [sing. hāl] Literally the word means 'states'. It acquired the technical meaning in tasawwuf (q.v.) of spiritual states which were not, however, permanent but which contained an element of illumination or ecstasy and were achieved only with the help of God. These spiritual states could constitute part of one's progress along the sūfī (q.v.) path. The term was widely used in sūf writings. (See Bast; Maqāmāt; Qabd.) al-Ahzāb (Ar.) The title of the 33rd sura of the Qur'ān; the name means literally 'The Parties' or 'The Groups' but is usually 24
